Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R077DY048TX
Shallow
12-17" PZ
Last updated: 9/11/2023
Accessed: 07/10/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 077D–Southern High Plains, Southwestern Part
This MLRA 77D is characterized by nearly level to gently undulating plains with scattered playa depressions. Soil temperature regime is thermic and soil moisture regime is aridic bordering on ustic. Sandy and loamy soils are generally well drained and range from shallow to deep and medium- to coarse-textured. Native vegetation is short- to midgrasses and sandy sites support tallgrasses with sand shin oak and mesquite. Current land use is mainly rangeland, although irrigated cropland is expanding.
Classification relationships
This ecological site is correlated to soil components at the Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) level which is further described in USDA Ag Handbook 296
Ecological site concept
This site occurs on shallow, calcareous soils on uplands. The reference vegetation consists of primarily shortgrasses with midgrasses, few forbs, and very few shrubs. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a shift in the plant community. Removal of fire from the ecosystem can lead to an increase in woody plant cover.
Associated sites
R077DY042TX Limy Upland 12-17" PZ
Shallow sites can be found adjacent to Limy Upland sites, MLRA 77D. The Limy Upland sites occur as gently undulating soils that occur on broad upland plains. Midgrasses dominate but there is a good mixture shortgrasses on this site. Production is higher on the Limy Upland sites.
R077DY047TX Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ
Sandy loam sites, MLRA 77D, occur adjacent to Shallow sites as deeper soils on nearly level plains. Midgrasses dominate but some tallgrasses and shortgrasses can occur on this site. Production is higher on the Sandy Loam sites.
R077DY049TX Very Shallow 12-17" PZ
Very Shallow sites, MLRA 77D, occur adjacent to Shallow sites as shallower soils on nearly level plains. Shortgrasses dominate but a good mixture of midgrasses occur on this site. Production is often lower on the Very Shallow sites.
Similar sites
R077CY037TX Very Shallow 16-21" PZ
Very Shallow sites, MLRA 77C, have similar forage plant communities with higher production potential due to higher annual precipitation (16 to 21 inches).
R077EY068TX Very Shallow 16-24" PZ
Very Shallow sites, MLRA 77E, have similar forage plant communities with higher production potential due to higher annual precipitation (16 to 24 inches).
R077DY047TX Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ
Sandy loam sites, MLRA 77D, have similar forage plant communities with higher production potential.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Acacia greggii
Herbaceous (1) Bouteloua eriopoda
(2) Bouteloua dactyloidesPhysiographic features
Soils correlated in the MLRA 77D Shallow ecological site are shallow to a petrocalcic horizon. They were formed in moderately fine textured eolian sediments of the Blackwater Draw Formation of Pleistocene age. These soils are typically on gently sloping plains, narrow ridges, and side slopes along draws. Slope ranges from 0 to 15 percent.
The landforms for the Shallow site include Plains and Ridges.Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plateau > Plain
(2) Plateau > Ridge
Runoff class Medium to high Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1500 – 5300 ft Slope 0 – 15 % Water table depth 80 in Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Climatic features
Continental Steppe climate is prevalent in MLRA 77D. This climate type is typical of interiors of continents and is characterized by large variations in the magnitude of ranges in daily temperature extremes, low relative humidity, and irregularly spaced rainfall of moderate amounts. This climate regime is also known for being semi-arid with mild winters.
Droughts occur with monotonous frequency although there will be years having excessive precipitation resulting in large accumulations of water that little benefit is obtained from the rainfall events. If good rains occur in the spring and summer months, annual production will be favorable even if the remainder of the year is not favorable. Most of the annual precipitation occurs as a result from spring and early summer thunderstorms. Due to the fact that the area is mainly flat, local flooding may occur but only of short duration. There is very little precipitation and infrequent snowfall amounts in the winter.
During the late winter and early spring months, dust storms occur very frequently. The flat plains of the area contribute very little resistance to the strong winds. Dust in many of these storms remains in the air for several days after the storms have passed.
Daytime temperatures are warm in the summer but there is a large diurnal range and most nights are comfortable. In summers, the normal daily maximum temperatures are in the low to mid 90s and the normal minimum temperatures are in the upper 60s and low 70s. Even though the temperatures may be high, the low humidity and high evaporation rates create a cooling effect during the nighttime hours. Fall months exhibit extremely variable weather. Winters are mild and are characterized by frequent cold fronts accompanied by strong, gusty, northerly winds. Most of the cold fronts are dry as they pass through the area.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 150-190 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 180-190 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 150-200 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 170-210 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 190 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) MELROSE [USC00295617], Melrose, NM
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(2) ELIDA [USC00292854], Elida, NM
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(3) CROSSROADS 2 [USC00292207], Crossroads, NM
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(4) TATUM [USC00298713], Tatum, NM
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(5) CAPROCK [USC00291445], Caprock, NM
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(6) HOBBS 13W [USC00294030], Lovington, NM
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(7) ANDREWS [USC00410248], Andrews, TX
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(8) ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD [USW00003031], Odessa, TX
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(9) K-BAR RCH [USC00414710], Odessa, TX
">Influencing water features
Water features are not an influencing factor in this site.
Wetland description
None.
Soil features
The soils of this site are very shallow to shallow well drained, calcareous, gravelly soils. Permeability is moderate and runoff is low to medium. Parent material is a thin mantle of medium to moderately coarse textured eolian sediments over an indurated layer.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Blakeney soils, Conger soils, Slaughter soils and Tonuco soils.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Eolian deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Clay loam
(2) Gravelly loam
(3) Loam
(4) Fine sandy loam
(5) Loamy fine sand
Family particle size (1) Clayey
(2) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to rapid Depth to restrictive layer 10 – 20 in Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 5 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-20in)1 – 3 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-20in)0 – 60 % Electrical conductivity
(0-20in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-20in)0 – 2 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-20in)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-20in)0 – 40 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-20in)0 – 3 % Ecological dynamics
The Reference Plant Community of the Shallow Ecological Site was a Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (1.1). Few if any tallgrass species could be found. Grass species accounted for 90 percent of the total site production. A wide variety of forbs are produced on this site with scattered woody shrubs equally accounting for 10 percent of the total annual production. This site occurs on gently to moderately sloping upland areas. Slopes typically range from 1 to 5 percent. The soils of the site vary from shallow fine sandy loams to loams with a depth of 12 to 20 inches over indurated caliche. The soils have good plant-soil-moisture relationships, but moisture-holding capacity is moderate, often limiting productivity.
The dominant shortgrass species is black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda), with lesser amounts of buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) and Wright threeawn (Aristida wrightii). Trace amounts of Hall’s panicum (Panicum hallii), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) can be found on the site. The dominant midgrass species is sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) and plains bristlegrass (Setaria macrostachya), with lesser amounts of cane bluestem (Bothriochloa barbinodis), Arizona cottontop (Digitaria californica), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), slim tridens (Tridens muticus), tobosagrass (Pleuraphis mutica), vine mesquite (Panicum obtusum), and Reverchon bristlegrass (Setaria reverchonii). A good variety of forbs exist but the amount varies greatly from year to year depending on moisture. The more commonly found forbs are trailing ratany (Krameria lanceolata), orange zexmania (Zexmania hispida), bush sunflower (Simsia calva), dotted gayfeather (Liatris punctata), white prairie clover (Dalea albiflora), gaura spp. (Gaura spp.), plains blackfoot (Melampodium leucanthus), tansy aster (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia), Texas croton (Croton texensis), Texas sleepy daisy (Xanthisma texanum), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilstachya), Oenothera spp. (Oenothera spp.), yellow spiny daisy (Haplpappus spinulosus), and desert holly (Atriplex hymenelytra). The major shrubs are catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii), vine ephedra (Ephedra antisyphilitica), lotebush (Ziziphus obtusifolia), pricklypear spp. (Opuntia spp.), javalina bush (Condalia ericoides), and winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata).
Fire plays a role in the ecology of this site as well as most other high plains sites. The general role of fire was to sustain the natural grassland and suppress shrubby species. Fire helps to keep a balance between the grasses, forbs and shrubs. However, in the shortgrass region, fire was probably secondary to climate in shaping the reference vegetative state. A drier climate (State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textT1A - Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure T1B - Absence of disturbance, natural regeneration over time and introduction of non-natives, coupled with excessive grazing pressure R2A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes R3A - Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy and non-native species, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Grassland StateThe Reference Plant Community of the Shallow Ecological Site is a Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (1.1). Few if any tallgrass species can be found. Grass species account for 90 percent of the total site production. A wide variety of forbs are produced on this site with scattered woody shrubs equally accounting for 10 percent of the total annual production. The dominant shortgrass species was black grama, with lesser amounts of buffalograss and Wright threeawn.
With continuous heavy grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or pest management this site will transition to the Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community (1.2). As livestock and wildlife numbers increase and grazing use exceeds a plants ability to sustain defoliation, the more palatable and generally more productive species decline in stature, productivity and density. The tendency of this site is to become a shortgrass dominant site if long-term grazing abuse occurs. This will lead to a decline in the vigor of sideoats grama and other palatable midgrass species.Dominant plant species
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black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda), grass
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buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides), grass
Community 1.1
Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
Figure 8. 1.1 Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
The Reference Plant Community of the Shallow Ecological Site is a Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (1.1). Grass species account for 90 percent of the total site production with black grama dominating and a strong midgrass component. A wide variety of forbs are produced on this site with scattered woody shrubs equally accounting for 10 percent of the total annual production. This site occurs on gently to moderately sloping upland areas. Slopes typically range from 1 to 5 percent. The shallow soils of the site vary from fine sandy loams to loams. The soils have good plant-soil-moisture relationships, but moisture-holding capacity is moderate, often limiting productivity. Most energy and nutrient cycling was contained in the narrow grass/soil interface and evapo-transpiration was minimal. Maintenance of this plant community requires continued proper grazing management as well as occasional brush and pest management.
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 450 900 1350 Forb 25 50 75 Shrub/Vine 25 50 75 Tree 0 0 0 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Total 500 1000 1500 Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1251 , Warm-season bunchgrasses w/ forbs & shrubs. Warm-season bunchgrasses with forbs and shrubs..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 1 3 5 12 16 15 20 18 9 1 0 Community 1.2
Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community
Figure 11. 1.2 Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community
With continuous heavy grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or pest management this site will transition to the Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community (1.2). As livestock and wildlife numbers increase and grazing use exceeds a plants ability to sustain defoliation, the more palatable and generally more productive species decline in stature, productivity and density. The tendency of this site is to become a shortgrass dominant site if long term grazing abuse occurs. This will lead to a decline in the vigor of sideoats grama and other palatable midgrass species. Croton species and western ragweed will increase and hairy tridens, annual broomweed, broom snakeweed, mesquite and numerous annuals will invade/increase on the site. The production of vegetation has shifted from mostly herbaceous vegetation to increasing amounts of woody shrubs. Herbaceous vegetation is still the largest production in this state. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have changed somewhat. This state can transition back to the reference community with good management practices such as prescribed grazing, brush management and pest management. Prescribed burning could be used if the fuel load and conditions allow.
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 300 600 900 Shrub/Vine 200 300 400 Forb 60 80 100 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 560 980 1400 Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1252 , Shortgrass Dominant/Invading Shrub Community. Warm-season shortgrasses with increasing shrubs and forbs..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 1 3 5 12 16 15 20 18 9 1 0 Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals CommunityWith continuous heavy grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or pest management this site will shift to the Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community (1.2). As livestock and wildlife numbers increase and grazing use exceeds a plants ability to sustain defoliation, the more palatable and generally more productive species decline in stature, productivity and density.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Shortgrass/Shrub/Annuals Community
Shortgrass/Midgrass CommunityThis state can transition back to near reference conditions with good management practices such as prescribed grazing, brush management and pest management. Prescribed burning could be used if the fuel load and conditions allow.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Prescribed Grazing State 2
Shrubland StateIf long-term, heavy grazing continues with no fire or any form of brush and pest management, a major threshold will be crossed from the Grassland State (1.0) to the Shrubland State (2.0). In this state, mesquite, broom snakeweed and pricklypear will dominate the site. The typical shortgrass species will be perennial three-awns, hairy tridens and other invading low quality short grasses. Bare areas will increase with annuals filling the voids.
Dominant plant species
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honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), shrub
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broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
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pricklypear (Opuntia), shrub
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threeawn (Aristida), grass
Community 2.1
Shrub/Shortgrass Community
Figure 14. 2.1 Shrub/Shortgrass Community
If long-term, heavy grazing continues with no fire or any form of brush and pest management, a major threshold will be crossed to the Shrub/Shortgrass Community (2.1). In this state, mesquite, broom snakeweed and pricklypear will dominate the site. The typical shortgrass species will be perennial threeawns, hairy tridens and other invading low quality short grasses. Bare areas will increase with annuals filling the voids. The loss of herbaceous cover and increased bare soil encourages accelerated erosion. Nutrient cycling, the water cycle, watershed protection and biological functions have been severely reduced.
The plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs. Prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding with adapted native grass species, chemical and/or mechanical brush management, and some form of pest management will be required to return this state back to the reference state. With the reduced amounts of grass fuel, prescribed burning is usually not an option in this state.Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Shrub/Vine 400 500 600 Grass/Grasslike 150 300 450 Forb 60 80 100 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 610 880 1150 Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1254 , Shrub/Shortgrass/Annuals Community. Spring and fall growth of shortgrasses, annuals, and shrubs..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 1 4 6 10 16 15 20 15 12 1 0 State 3
Introduced Grass/Shrubland StateLehman lovegrass is the dominant grass species with few if any native species remaining. The resulting plant community is a Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Dominant Community (3.1). Once this lovegrass has become well established, returning the site to the reference state(1)would be expensive and generally not very successful or practical.
Dominant plant species
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Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), grass
Community 3.1
Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Community
Figure 17. 3.1 Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Community
Several thousand acres of loam, clay loam and sandy loam sites in the southern high plains that are in a degraded state have been invaded by Lehman lovegrass to the point that it is the dominant grass species with few if any native species remaining. The resulting plant community is a Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Dominant Community (3.1). Once this lovegrass has become well established, returning the site to the reference state(1) would be expensive and generally not very successful or practical. Prescribed burning for seedbed preparation purposes may be necessary to remove excessive amounts of plant biomass. Moderate to heavy mechanical brush management, heavy seedbed preparation and re-seeding to a native grass mixture would be required. The application of herbicides can be effective to reduce competition from this lovegrass species, but there is only a narrow time of treatment opportunity. It is unlikely that Lehman loverass will disappear through any natural processes such as competition from native species.
Figure 18. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1200 2100 3000 Shrub/Vine 300 550 800 Forb 5 10 15 Microbiotic Crusts 0 0 0 Tree 0 0 0 Total 1505 2660 3815 Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX1255 , Lehman Lovegrass/Shrub Dominant Community. Lehman lovegrass with shrub dominance..
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 1 5 8 16 18 12 15 18 6 1 0 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2If long-term, heavy grazing continues with no fire or any form of brush and pest management, a major threshold will be crossed from the Shortgrass/Shrubs/Annuals Community (1.2) to the Shrub/Shortgrass Community (2.1). In this state, mesquite, broom snakeweed and pricklypear will dominate the site.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3If long-term, heavy grazing continues with no fire or any form of brush and pest management, along with encroachment of introduced grasses such as Lehman lovegrass, a major threshold will be crossed from the Shortgrass/Shrubs/Annuals Community (1.2) to the Lehman lovegrass/ Shrubs Community. Dominant species include Lehman lovegrass and mesquite.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1The plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs. Prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding with adapted native grass species, chemical and/or mechanical brush management, and some form of pest management will be required to return this state back to the reference state(1). With the reduced amounts of grass fuel, prescribed burning is usually not an option in this state.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Range Planting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Prescribed Grazing Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Returning the site to the reference state would be expensive and generally not very successful or practical. Prescribed burning for seedbed preparation purposes may be necessary to remove excessive amounts of plant biomass. Moderate to heavy mechanical brush management, heavy seedbed preparation and re-seeding to a native grass mixture would be required.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Range Planting Prescribed Grazing Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Shortgrass 125–375 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 125–375 – 2 Midgrass 100–300 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 100–300 – 3 Midgrasses 175–525 large-spike bristlegrass SEMA5 Setaria macrostachya 50–150 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 25–75 – cane bluestem BOBA3 Bothriochloa barbinodis 25–75 – Arizona cottontop DICA8 Digitaria californica 25–75 – tobosagrass PLMU3 Pleuraphis mutica 25–75 – vine mesquite PAOB Panicum obtusum 0–1 – slim tridens TRMUE Tridens muticus var. elongatus 0–1 – 4 Shortgrasses 50–150 Wright's threeawn ARPUW Aristida purpurea var. wrightii 25–75 – buffalograss BODA2 Bouteloua dactyloides 25–75 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 0–5 – hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 0–5 – Hall's panicgrass PAHA Panicum hallii 0–5 – Forb5 Forbs 25–75 Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 2–5 – desertholly ATHY Atriplex hymenelytra 2–5 – Texas croton CRTE4 Croton texensis 2–5 – whiteflower prairie clover DAAL Dalea albiflora 2–5 – beeblossom GAURA Gaura 2–5 – trailing krameria KRLA Krameria lanceolata 2–5 – dotted blazing star LIPU Liatris punctata 2–5 – lacy tansyaster MAPI Machaeranthera pinnatifida 2–5 – tanseyleaf tansyaster MATA2 Machaeranthera tanacetifolia 2–5 – plains blackfoot MELE2 Melampodium leucanthum 2–5 – evening primrose OENOT Oenothera 2–5 – awnless bushsunflower SICA7 Simsia calva 2–5 – Texas sleepydaisy XATE Xanthisma texanum 2–5 – Shrub/Vine6 Shrubs 25–75 bigtooth maple ACGRG Acer grandidentatum var. grandidentatum 4–12 – catclaw acacia ACGRG3 Acacia greggii var. greggii 4–12 – javelina bush COER5 Condalia ericoides 4–12 – clapweed EPAN Ephedra antisyphilitica 4–12 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 4–12 – pricklypear OPUNT Opuntia 4–12 – lotebush ZIOB Ziziphus obtusifolia 4–12 – Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site is inhabited by dove, quail, deer and pronghorn. Limited populations of pronghorn antelope frequent the site. The limited amount of woody plants does not provide good cover and food sources for deer.
Hydrological functions
These shallow soils have moderate to moderately low runoff potential due to slopes which range from 1 to 5 percent. These soils are fertile and absorb water at a moderate rate. Moisture storage is limited by the 12 to 20 inch depth to indurated caliche.
Recreational uses
This site has very little value from an aesthetic standpoint. The site is occupied almost exclusively by native short and midgrass species with few woody shrubs. Recreational activities could include bird hunting, camping, hiking, bird watching, photography, and horseback riding.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
NRCS FOTG – Section II of the FOTG Range Site Descriptions and numerous historical accounts of vegetative conditions at the time of early settlement in the area were used in the development of this site description. Vegetative inventories were made at several site locations for support documentation. Inventory Data References (documents): NRCS FOTG – Section II - Range Site Descriptions NRCS Clipping Data summaries over a 20 year period
Other references
Reviewers and Technical Contributors:
Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, Boerne, Texas
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
Kelly Attebury, RSS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Other references: (List other references used in the description or correlation of this site.)
J.R. Bell, USDA-NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist (retired)
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Range Site Descriptions
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service - Soil Surveys & Website soil database
Rathjen, Frederick W., The Texas Panhandle Frontier, Rev. 1998, Univ. of Texas Press
Hatch, Brown and Ghandi, Vascular Plants of Texas (An Ecological Checklist)
Texas A&M Exp. Station, College Station, Texas
Texas Tech University – Department of Natural Resources Management
Kingsbury, John M. (1964) Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada.
Soil Science: November 1964 - Volume 98 - Issue 5 - ppg 349.
Sosebee, Ronald E. Timing – The Key to Herbicidal Control of Broom Snakeweed. Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.Contributors
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Todd Carr, SS, NRCS, Lubbock, TexasApproval
Bryan Christensen, 9/11/2023
Acknowledgments
Site Development and Testing Plan Future work, as described in a Project Plan, to validate the information in this Provisional Ecological Site Description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low, medium and high intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document. Annual reviews of the Project Plan are to be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team. Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, Boerne, Texas Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas Kelly Attebury, RSS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Stan Bradbury, Zone RMS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas Contact for lead author 806-791-0581 Date 09/04/2007 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Slight to moderate. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Slight to moderate. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Slight to moderate. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
20-25% bare ground. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Slight to moderate. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None to slight. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Slight to moderate. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Water erosion hazards are moderate to severe. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Shallow clays and clay loam surfaces; weak fine granular surface; hard; friable; few fine roots; calcareous; moderately alkaline; moderate permeability; well drained; good plant-soil moisture; moderate SOM. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Low vegetative cover and percent slopes makes this site susceptible to erosion. This site is a very slowly permeable soil, runoff is medium to high depending on slopes and available water holding capacity is moderate to high. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. -
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Warm-season midgrasses > Warm-season shortgrasses>>Sub-dominant:
Other:
Forbs = Shrubs/VinesAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Grasses due to their growth habit will exhibit some mortality and decadence though minimal. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter is dominantly herbaceous. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
500 to 1500 pounds per acre. -
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Mesquite, pricklypear, and broom snakeweed can become invasive. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plant species should be capable of reproduction except during periods of prolonged drought conditions, heavy natural herbivory or intense wildfires.
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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